The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet released its annual “Antler Alert” this week, reminding NKY drivers that most deer-vehicle collisions occur in the final three months of the year, with November having the most.
“As our traffic engineers review data for crash trends across the Commonwealth, the increase in deer-vehicle collisions in October, November, and December is noticeable, with a peak in November,” Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray said in a recent press release. “That’s why we take time each year to remind drivers to use extra caution now through December as deer and other wildlife are on the move. While deer can show up at all hours, they create a particular hazard at dusk and at night when visibility is not the greatest.”
Deer mating season occurs in conjunction with temperature drops, according to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Deer tend to move around more during mating season. In addition, local crop harvesting can prompt deer to move in search of new food sources.
“Of the 11 counties in KYTC District 6, four were in the top 30 for deer crashes statewide: Boone County with 126, Campbell County with 98, Kenton County with 59, and Pendleton County with 36 [in 2022],” said the cabinet’s press release. “Counties with the highest numbers statewide tend to have higher populations, higher traffic volume numbers and more 4-lane road miles. Tracking deer crash numbers is difficult to the number of drivers who go directly to their insurance agent with deer crash claims without reporting it to the police.”
The cabinet recommends that all deer collisions be reported to the police immediately.
The cabinet also offers the following tips for drivers who spot deer:
- Slow down immediately upon spotting a deer crossing the roadway; they tend to travel in groups.
- Don’t swerve to avoid a deer, which can result in a more serious crash with an oncoming vehicle or roadside object.
- In the event of a crash, keep both hands on the wheel and apply brakes steadily until stopped.
- Always wear a seat belt.
- Keep headlights on bright at night unless other vehicles are approaching.
- Eliminate distractions while driving, including phones
- Drive defensively, constantly scanning the roadside, especially at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.
Click here to see a full report on the deer collisions in all Kentucky counties last year.